The AMA and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have released an extensive update to the 2021 Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) codes, set to take effect Jan. 1. Two free CME webinars from ISMA are planned to help physicians and practice managers get ready for the changes.

The AMA detailed the upcoming changes in a Sept. 8 news release and email to stakeholders. The changes to the CPT® code set are planned for codes ranging from 99201-99215 and reflect administrative burden relief, COVID-19 testing and tech-enabled medical services, among other developments.

The E/M office visit modifications eliminate history and physical exam as elements for code selection, permit code level selection based on medical decision-making or total time, and promote payer consistency with more detail added to CPT® code descriptors and guidelines.

Among the important additions to the CPT® code set are new medical testing services sparked by the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CPT® code set has been modified with several additions and revisions that have been approved for immediate use and published for the 2021 CPT® code set.

Prepare for code changes with ISMA webinars

Two free CME webinars from ISMA cover everything that practice managers, physicians and medical staff need to know to implement the new CPT® changes successfully. Each webinar is accredited for 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits.^TM

Dec. 3: Evaluation and Management (E/M) Changes

Dec. 10: CPT Code Changes (Non-E/M)

Additional AMA resources

Virtual learning events

The AMA invites the health care community to stay current on the significant CPT® code changes for 2021 by attending two virtual events in November, the Outpatient CDI Workshop (Nov. 17) and the CPT® and RBRVS 2021 Annual Symposium (Nov. 18-20). Meeting agendas and registration are available on the AMA website.

AMA Ed Hub

A special section for CPT® education has been created for the AMA Ed Hub, an online leaning platform containing CME and education, including a module series covering E/M codes, Clinical Examples of Radiology, as well as an overview of CPT® coding basics.

Publications

Coding books and products, including the CPT® 2021 Professional Codebook, are available from the AMA Store. The 2021 CPT® codes and descriptors can be imported straight into existing claims and billing software using the downloadable CPT® 2021 Data File. The file contains the complete descriptor package for the updated code sets, including official descriptors for consumers and physicians, and the complete official CPT® coding guidelines.